Arsenal open to selling Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City – but demand £80m – report

Arsenal are finally prepared to budge on their refusal to sell Alexis Sanchez to a Premier League rival – but will demand a huge premium to sell him to Manchester City, Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror reports.

The latest reports from abroad back up the growing number of claims that Alexis wants to reunite with Pep Guardiola at City, but Arsene Wenger has been adamant that the 28-year-old must not be sold to a rival.

Mullock reports that sources close to the player have informed Arsenal that he wants out – and City are finally ready to make their interest official with a formal bid in the near future.

The price-tag for Sanchez, who is entering the last year of his contract at the Emirates, will be set at £80million, much higher than the opening offer of £50million that Blues chiefs are planning.

The Arsenal hierarchy are prepared to risk losing Sanchez on a free transfer next year by standing firm on their valuation, although City will attempt to reach a compromise, especially with the player now pushing for a move up north.

This drawn out saga is likely to continue for a while yet, but there are now indications that Arsenal are at least willing to sit at the table and negotiate, which is another step towards Pep Guardiola’s wish of Alexis Sanchez becoming a Manchester City player.